ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT DEVICES CURABLE IN VIVO

摘要

An orthopedic implant device (100, 200, 300, 301, 320, 340, 400, 500, 600, 700', 720, 740, 760, 770, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800) is non-rigid, i.e., flexible and/or malleable, in a first form for insertion into a desired in vivo site, and then transformable into a rigid, or hardened, form for providing a load-bearing function or providing other structural and/or mechanical function after implantation. The device includes a biocompatible sheath (110) and a curable material (120) sealed within the sheath (110). The curable material (120) is provided in a first form that provides flexibility to the device and is structured to rigidize in a second form after insertion to an in vivo location at least one minute after application of a cure-initiating energy to the material (120) prior to insertion. Related methods and kits are also provided.